A Look Ahead to 2050 in Frontline Magazine

Optocentro’s new facilities at 32-A António Augusto de Aguiar Avenue embody a retrofuturistic aesthetic, based on the premise that the space should encapsulate an idea, and that idea should tell stories that reflect reality. From the past, by displaying antique pieces that illustrate the evolution of optics, we also share the journey of our growth as an organization mindful of its historical commitments. We take this opportunity to imprint the metaphor of the future in every square meter afforded by the challenge of our 720-square-meter space. The aspirational motto could not be separated from one of the company’s fundamental principles: Sustainability and what it represents—values that symbolize the future and, in their fullness, life itself. We incorporated the European Commission’s 2050 environmental goals into the design, mindful of the significance of every decision at every stage of the project. Recycling, within the context of the Circular Economy, was the conceptual driving force, evident in the reuse of the granite floor, the wooden walls, glass, cabinets, ductwork, and light fixtures. The choice of an exposed ceiling revealing imperfections lent it a New York-style, industrial, decidedly informal aesthetic. Shades of gray dominate the floor and stretch across the walls with a certain monotony, interrupted only by the red velvet of the chair arms and seats and by the drapes that highlight the store’s high ceilings. Half a dozen of these chairs, purchased on OLX, are part of Portugal’s cultural heritage: the Lusa chair. Also secondhand, iron and wood garden benches have been restored and placed in waiting areas, where a library ladder on wheels, in shades of red and anthracite, facilitates access to the storage cabinets for the cases. At the entrance, in the lobby, there are three planters featuring an installation we’ve titled “These Are Roses, Gentlemen,” alluding to the legendary Portuguese story, “The Miracle of the Roses.” The rose petals are made from lenses, and the soil in the planters consists of dust and shavings from the cutting process performed by automatic machines. The image represents the miracle of reuse.

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the concept of the circular economy. In the optical industry, water plays a key role in the complex process of manufacturing a lens. It is used for cleaning and cooling, and is involved in the stages of blank cutting, surface treatment, and polishing. In the store, once in the hands of the optician, the lens will be cut and its edges polished to fit the frame. In the lens production chain, from origin to the end consumer, water consumption can reach as much as 30 liters per lens. To curb the waste of this vital natural resource, the new optical shop now features two eco-friendly hydraulic systems with integrated centrifugal filters, reducing water consumption in the shop from 12 to 15 liters to 0.025 liters per lens. Cutting waste is now properly stored for later collection and treatment by a waste management company. Without compromising the quality of the space’s lighting, greater energy efficiency was sought in the LEDs and light sensors, ensuring a comfortable environment through a programmable climate control system.

Unless consumer habits are fundamentally centered on defending and promoting the circular economy—as opposed to the linear economy—we will struggle to achieve the European Union’s goals for 2050. Encouraging local and regional production, putting an end to the depletion of natural resources, and finding biodegradable substitutes are some of the essential practices for ensuring the success of that goal. At the source, during production, the use of higher-quality raw materials leads to more durable products, which in turn stimulate the reuse economy.
Based on all these concepts, Optocentro developed the Reframed program, which sells secondhand eyewear. The collection is highly dynamic and diverse, having been built through purchases from consumers and some of our employees. After assessing commercial interest, each piece undergoes a rigorous technical inspection by our specialists before negotiations with the owner begin. Any frame components found to be damaged are replaced with new, original parts. We carry models from iconic brands such as Cartier, Lindberg, and Silhouette, and the prices are truly attractive. The culture of reuse is not common in the sector, and this is the first major barrier that the industry and consumers must overcome.

Of all the human senses, vision is the most valuable tool in the context of the stimuli of the digital revolution. Eradicating blindness and preventable vision loss is one of the Sustainable Development Goals and has the unconditional support of the United Nations. Given the rate at which refractive errors are developing—with a particular focus on myopia—it is projected that by 2050, half of the world’s population, approximately 4.4 billion people, will suffer from myopia. Significant pressure on the demand for eye care services is expected, and, naturally, increased consumption of eyeglasses and contact lenses. The optical industry and all professionals in the visual health ecosystem will face challenges that extend far beyond what the sector traditionally represents today. The imagined odyssey of the future will be embodied in the adaptive technology of smart lenses and frames. Interacting with the body, monitoring and signaling its functioning in the fields of preventive health and human behavior. In addition to potentially having a multidisciplinary impact, these devices could contribute to a better view of the world around us.